The Bambara ethnic group is the largest in Mali, a savannah country, and it has become an agrarian ethnic group with a strong spirituality, as shown by the diversity of its zoomorphic masks and its handicrafts, used in agrarian rites. This iron bracelet, as well as being proof of high rank, had both an aesthetic and an utilitarian function for the wearer. This pointed arrow curved around the wrist was also used as a tool for scraping the earth, and for shaping divinely-inspired motifs on pottery.

Retour De Voyage is delighted to present this delicate object in this collection of art from sub-Saharian Africa.

Bambara, Mali. Bracelet made of iron- height 7 cm

Late 19th, early 20th century

Origin : private collection, France